Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 67-77.

• Classical Literary Theory and Criticism • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Difference and Nexus between Yijing and Chanjing: a Brief Discussion and Response to Yang Chu

Gu Zuzhao   

  1. the College of Liberal Arts at Anhui University (Hefei 230039, China)
  • Online:2017-01-25 Published:2017-11-11
  • About author:Gu Zuzhao is a professor in the College of Liberal Arts at Anhui University (Hefei 230039, China). His academic interests include theory of literary aesthetics and ancient Chinese literary criticism.

Abstract: The nexus between poetry and Chan is a hard issue in literary history. The paper outlines the formation of the theory of yijing, the ideo-mood-imagery, or the poetically evoked realm so as to tell that yijing is an original Chinese aesthetic category and it cannot be distorted by alien culture. The article, drawing on Sutra Spoken of Southern Buddhism, proceeds to show that chanjing, or the zen-induced realm, is characterized by the absence of images and emotions and aesthetic purposes, thus highlighting the basic difference of Yijing and Chanjing. The above argumentation aims to clarify various kinds of misunderstandings about this and respond to Yang Chu's critical views and misreading.

Key words: chanjing, yijing, Artistic Realm, Difference and Nexus